Water heater



' Dec. 31, 1929. L. T. WILCOX 1,741,175

WATER HEATER Filed June 8. 192 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I NV EN TOR. (EM AS Z' W/l COX A T TQR N E Y.

Dec. 31, 1929. L. 'r. WILCOX 1,741,175.

WATER HEATER Fild June 28. 1927 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

[AW f5 2' MA 60x.

-A TTORNEY.

Dec. 31, 1929. L. T. WILCOX 1,741,175

WATER HEATER Filed June 28, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

ZfI V/S Z MZCOX.

A TTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 31, 1929 PATENT OFFICE LEWIS '1. WILGOX, OF PEEKSKILL, NEW YORK WATER HEATER Application filed June 28,

This invention relates to water heaters of the auxiliary type wherein water is circulated through a single or multiple helical coil, the coil being supported over a burner which heats the exterior of the coil. The burners are usually of the liquid or vapor fuel burning type, though any type burner may be used. A casing usually surrounds the heating coil and the major portion of the burner,

which casing may be connected to a flue pipe to carry 011 the hot gases after they have served to heat the coils. Heaters of this type when connected to a flue pipe and in operation are usually accompanied by a roaring noise due to the extra induced draught and rush of hot gases up the casing and flue pipe, since the heaters are designed to operate without a flue pipe connection.

It is the purpose of this invention to eliminate this roaring noise and at the same time to obtain a more efficient utilization of the heat generated by the burner and to prolong the life of the heater Whether the heater has a flue connection or is operated without such a connection.

It is also an object of this invention to pro-; vide a more satisfactory supply reservoir from which the burner receives its fuel in those types of burners which burn liquid fuel.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a hinge pin which engages both hinges on one side of the casing and which may be partially removed by a single means to disengage one pair of hinges.

In accordance With my invention I provide a sheet or cast metal casing for the heater which may conveniently be formed of two vertical sections adapted to be hinged upon either side as shown and described in my copending application Serial No. 148,648. At the upper end of this casing I propose to form the casing with a restricted opening to retard the flow of hot gases arising therefrom and thereby obtain a more efficient and com-.

plete utilization of their heat. In cooperation with this restriction I propose to provide a means for permitting the entry of air from the exterior into the flue pi e at the point where the hot gases leave t e casing 1927. Serial No. 201,996.

and enter into the fine pipe. In this manner, by restricting the flow and injecting air into the flue pipe Inot only obtain more efficient utilization of the heat of the hot gases and eliminate the roaring noises usually accompanied with the operation of a water heater, and eliminate the sucking out of the flame but also dilute the hot gases in the flue pipe thereby obtaining a cooler mixture in the flue pipe which will substantially reduce fire hazard and prolong the life of the flue pipe.

As a means insuring a better fuel supply, I propose to form the bottom of the reservoir tank with a depressed portion to which is connected a well or chamber to collect water and other foreign matter and to the higher portion of the bottom I make the fuel connection leading to the burner.

In order to provide a convenient hinge and catch for the casing I provide a connection between pins engaging the two pairs of hinges on each side of the casing which serves as a handle whereby the hinges upon either side may be disengaged at will to allow the easing to be opened by swinging upon the other set of hinges.

I will now give a more detailed description of a heater constructed in accordance with this invention in connection with the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation partly in section of a water heater and supply tank constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a section on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the upper end of the heater casing and fine connection;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the heater casing;

Fig. 5 is a detail section on line 55 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the upper portion of a modified casing;

F ig. 7 is a section on line 77 of Fig. 6, and

Fig. 8 is a detail section of the sediment bulb and drain plug.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, I utilize a vertically split sheet metal ca in comprising a front section 1 and a rear a ion 2 somewhat similar to that shown and described in my copending appliu cation Serial No. 148,648. The upper end of the casing differs, iowever, and is formed with an inturned flange 3 which forms a reduced opening at the upper end of the casing. To this flange there is secured a circular con necting collar 4 of larger diameter at the bottom than at thextop and'whichhasifour projections or feet 5 on the lower end; threeof which feet are secured to the rear half of the casing, while the fourth-foot .rests over. the front section 1 and is left free thus enabling the front part of the casing to be swungonits hinges without interference. These feet rest ing upon flange 3 support-the collar above the casing leaving spaces therehetween through 1 which air may be sucked up and into thefiue. The collar 1 entendsupwardly and terminates in a'vertical flange 45 ofyproperldiameter to 'fit-within the end of a 'liue pipe 60f substanthan the op'ening m the tiall 'i l rger diameter tween the feet ofthe'collar.

"T we byreducing the diameter of the opening at the'te-pofthe casing and therebyreducmg the lilpldltyOf flowof-hot gases through the caslng, and by providing means for causing the injection of air from the exteriorinto the line pipe I not only substantially eliminate all roaring noises hut=obta1n a more complete absorptionof heat from the hot gases into 'the Vide a more eflieient heater.

Therestrictedopening at' the top of. the

casing constant and of the proper magnitude regardless of the flue connection. Ifa greater draught is caused by the connection moreair; wilhhe suclred in through theopenings, $111091 1 the restricted-opening in the casingwlill tend to maintain a constant draught therein.

As one practical way of S6GLlI111g;tl16 connecting' collar-A to the top-ofthecasing, I form-slots 1n the intur-nedtflange 8ofzthe rear i that-when the casing-is closed theilugs will be immediately adjacent to the two slots in thev half 2 of the casing, 1properly-spacedz and.

positioned soasto be directly opposite the three rear feet formed on collar 4. iThe front half of the casing isformed with two d1 ametrica-lly opposite lugs 7 pro ecting rearwardly from the rear of. flangeifiand-so placed 2 front edges of the flange 3301111118 rear: section fore the collar is placed on; top. .of the: casing.

lVith the screws extending from the -feet the collar l may he slid over the top flange 3, with the screws 8 engaged in the slots after which the front section 1 of the-casing may be closed, wherehylugs 'FprO ectmg from the front sec- The l-egs 5-ofthe'lcollarv are tappedto retion 1 of the casing will engage the feet and push them rearwardly in the slots. The screw may then be tightened and the collar will be permanently and rigidly held to the rear section of the casing in a manner to permit opening of the front section.

1 In Eigsi 6 and 7 Ihave showna modified form of a: sectional casing comprising a front section 1 and a rear section 2 and a modified form:ofconnection collar. In this type the top of the casing is formed with an inturned :ifiange 'l) as before, resulting in a restricted opening in the top ofthe casing. The top of the e-lasing isalso. formed with upstanding lugs 10 having laterally extending and slotted webs 11 to which acircularco'llar 12'may be attached. Collar l2 issuh'stantially the same as collar 4; being tubular and of greater diam- 8&(31 at the-bottom than at the top and terminating atits upper end in a vertical fiange 13 adapted'to slide into a flue pipe 14 0f lar er diameterthan the opening in the upper end 0f thecasing. The-eollar 12 issecured to the cas ng by means of-holts 15 inserted through ap 1 u-res in tliecollar-and engagingwinthe slots in webs 11. As an additional securit against the collar 12 slidinglaterally ithewcor- 'lar is formed-with alug 16 projectingdownwardly from the inner surfaceof the collar as to engage the-inner surface of the rear lugi 16-and maintain the collar well up inthe slots;intl1e-wcbs 11.

Here, as heforeydue to theinjectionraction,

air will be drawn in from UlflClGIiitl'le. collar I x "and between the projections ontop of the. casing 111 0111UI1C1J1011' with the: openings rpermitting air to be sucked into the fluefromthe, exterior -maintains. the draught throughlzthe I have found it advantageous to employ the 1 usual inverted bottle feed and. to form the subtank 16 of the usual inverted loottle type reservoir with a depressed portion 17. "A wvell or sediment bulb 18-is attachedto. the

periphery of an aperture in this depressed.

portion and provided-witha. drain plug 19. 1 It hasmheen found desirable. to construct the drain plug 19in aimanner which will-permit draining of :stlie subtank. 16. without soiling the fingers. To this-mend ith-ezplu 19 r. is provided with a longitudinalloore- 20 terminating in a transverse bore 21. adjacent the upper endiofplug 19. An annular, groove is turned in the plug: communicating with the ends of 'tTQIlSVGI'SibOTG 21. The inner. end of .plug .19- is tapered tor-seat within thecorrespending tapered seat portion of a gland. 22 into which the plug 19-isthreaded and-Which is -securedtothe bot-tom ofbulh 18. It follows,

therefore that if plug 19-iswithdrawn Lslightly from gland 22 the liquid in bulb: 18 will flow through the annular groove 21. and outwardly through the'center of plug 19 whereby it is not necessary to soil the lingers when the @bullo isdrained. To"t-he higherportion of the 19.)

bottom I attach the usual subtank elbow 23 which in turn is connected to the supply pipe 24 feeding the burner 25. It is obvious that water or other foreign materials will settle to the lower portion 17 of the bottom of subtank 16 and in sediment bulb 18 from which it may be drained at certain intervals. The elbow 23, being connected to the high portion oflthe bottom, will receive only the clear fuel 01 As heretofore mentioned the casing is constructed of two sections hinged upon both sides. Accordingly the two sections 1 and 2 of the casing carry a pair of hinge elements 26 substantially at the top and bottom of each side of the casing.

A single hinge pin 27 is provided for both pairs of hinge elements upon one side of the casing. This pin 2? comprises a long rod bent at right angles intermediate its ends to form an offset parallel portion 28 which serves as a handle. One end of the pin is also bent to form an offset parallel end as at 29 while the other end is offset and bent double or back upon itself as at 30 thus causing both ends of the pins to enter the hinge elements simultaneously and from the same relative directions. The offset is sufiicient to permit the ends of the pin to extend through the hinge elements while the main portion of the pin lies adjacent the casing. A clamp 31 is attached to the casing and surrounds the pin shortly above the upper horizontal arm of the handle and thereby limits the vertical movement of the pin to a proper amount to disengage the lower hinge element of each pair.

It is apparent that one pin need only be raised a slight amount till the ends thereof are free from one each of the hinge elements to enable the front section of the casing to be swung open upon the opposite pin as a hinge and that'the casing may be opened from either side by merely raising the necessary pin a short distance.

When in operation the hot gases generated from the burner will rise through the casing, but instead of passing directly and uninterruptedly therethrough and into the flue pipe the gases will be hindered in their ascent and restricted by the reduced opening in the top of the casing from which they will pass upwardly in a column of reduced diameter into the flue pipe. As this column of hot gases of reduced diameter passes into the flue there will be a strong injection action where by cool air will be drawn in from the sides of the casing and mixed with the rising hot gases. This action will substantially eliminate the roaring noise as well as cool the flue gases and thereby prolong the life of the flue pipe. The hot gases will also be retained in the casing for a longer period and will give up a greater amount of their heat to the coils therein, thus resulting in a more eflicient heater.

It is apparent that many variations may be made in the design of the minor details without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A water heater including a burner, a heating coil disposed thereover, a sectional casing surrounding said coil and having a fine opening in the upper end thereof, one of said sections being slotted at its upper end and the other section having a cooperating lug extending therefrom, a tubular collar having its upper end terminating in a flange adapted to engage a flue pipe and its lower end terminating in a plurality of feet, and means for securing certain of said feet to said casing comprising screws extending through said slots and into certain of said feet.

2. A water heater including a burner, a heating coil disposed thereover, a split casing surrounding said coil comprising two vertical sections having a pair of hinge elements at the top and bottom on opposite sides thereof and a single hinge pin for each side of said casing extending through both pairs of hinge elements.

3. A water heater including a burner, a heating coil disposed thereover, a split casing surrounding said coil comprising two vertical sections having apair of hinge elements at the top and bottom on opposite sides thereof and a single hinge pin for each side of said casing extending through both airs of hinge elements, each of said pins eing bent to form a handle intermediate its ends.

i.- A water heater including a burner, a heating coil disposed thereover, a split casing surrounding said coil comprising two vertical sections having a pair of hinge elements at the top and bottom on opposite sides thereof and a single hinge pin for each side of said casing extending through both pairs of hinge elements, one end of each of said pins being bent back upon itself whereby said pins may be partially withdrawn to release said hinge elements.

5. A water heater including a burner, a heating coil disposed thereover, a split casing surrounding said coil comprising two vertical sections having a pair of hinge elements at the top and bottom on opposite sides thereof and a single hinge pin for each side of said casing extending through both pairs of hinge elements, one end of each of said pins being bent back upon itself whereby said pins enter said hinge elements from the same relative sides simultaneously, and means for limiting movement of said pins.

6. A water heater including a burner, a heating coil disposed thereover, a split casing surrounding said eoil comprising two vertical sections having a pair of hinge elements at the top and bottom on opposite sides thereof and a single hinge pin for each side of said casing extending through both pairs of hinge elements, one end of each of said pins being bent back upon itself whereby said pins enter said hinge elements from the same relative sides simultaneously, and means for limiting was movement of said pins comprising stops secured to said casing and engaging said pins.

7. A water heater including a burner, a

heating coil disposed thereover a split casing surrounding said coil comprising two vertical sections having a pair of hinge elements at the top and bottom on opposite sides thereof and a single hinge pin for each side of said casing extending through both pairs of hinge elements, each of said pins being bent to form a handle portion intermediate its ends, one end of each of said pins being bent back upon itself whereby said pins entersaid hinge elements from the same relative sides simultaneously and means for limiting movement of said pins comprising stops secured to said casing and engaging said pins adjacent :the handle portions thereof.

-In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe LEWIS T. lVILGOX.

' my signature. 

